Lachlei by M. H. Bonham Page B

attack, only I was too preoccupied. I won’t make that mistake again.”
    “What are you going to do about it?”
    “What indeed? The Truce is in shambles.”
    “No thanks to Areyn.”
    “And no thanks to you — or me,” Rhyn’athel said. “We’ve all violated it, despite our intentions.”
    “Areyn has slaughtered an entire village, and you’re worried about your violation?”
    Rhyn’athel shook his head grimly. “I had hoped to avoid this war, and yet, it seems inevitable. Total, utter destruction — as it was in the last war.”
    “But we won.”
    Rhyn’athel chuckled ruefully. “Did we? Yes, I suppose in a way, you could call it a victory. But what did we accomplish?”
    “The Jotunn and demons no longer walk this world or any of our worlds,” Ni’yah replied. “The Eleion live here instead of Areyn’s spawn.”
    “But as long as Areyn Sehduk exists, there will be no peace,” Rhyn’athel replied. “And he is an Athel’cen , a god from the Wyrd — as you and I are. We can’t be destroyed. You know as well as I do that the Truce was the only way to preserve what little we’ve created. And now, that’s gone.”
Silence ensued.
    “He has a demon with him,” Ni’yah ventured.
    Rhyn’athel smiled grimly. “That news does not surprise me.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the parapet. “Areyn is a coward — he will not confront me directly because he knows he will lose. So, he takes the guise of a warrior to destroy my kindred and my power in this world, hoping to catch me unawares.”
    “But now he’s gotten bold,” Ni’yah remarked. “Bold enough to taunt me.”
    “Arrogance,” Rhyn’athel replied. “The blood-feeding does that to him. Areyn will regret it in a few days when his power levels out.”
    “What do we do?”
    Rhyn’athel made no response. Instead, he gazed below into the bailey. Ni’yah followed his gaze until it rested on Lachlei who had entered the inner courtyards. Ni’yah grinned. “She is very beautiful, isn’t she?”
    “Damn you for bringing me here,” Rhyn’athel said. “You knew all the time she would be my weakness.”
    Ni’yah shrugged. “I knew you wouldn’t let her die — especially now that the Wyrd is weaving a different pattern.”
    Rhyn’athel took a deep breath, his eyes becoming glassy as he concentrated his powers on the Sight. It was harder to do, now that he had a mortal body, but not impossible. The silver threads of the future shimmered in his vision, and he stared as he saw the path they would take. His eyes snapped back into focus. “I’ve changed the Wyrd with my presence.”
    “Can’t be helped,” Ni’yah said dismissively. “Whenever any of the gods of the Wyrd enter this world, it forever changes the Wyrd’s pattern.”
    “You knew this and yet you continue to meddle,” Rhyn’athel accused.
    Ni’yah shrugged. “I hate knowing everything that happens — it makes for a very boring life as a god. Besides, it’s not just me, now — it’s you and Areyn. You have the strongest link to the Wyrd, which is why it is so interesting to see it change around Lachlei…”
    “Lachlei,” Rhyn’athel repeated distractedly. There were two paths now — both would shift the balance of power. Both hinged on Lachlei.
    “You know that not everything is set and the Wyrd doesn’t reveal the full future. But Lachlei will…”
    Rhyn’athel’s face became stern. “Speak of this to no one.”
    “Areyn may learn of this,” Ni’yah said. “Areyn will seek Lachlei out, himself.”
    Rhyn’athel could feel his face flush with rage, but he held it back. “Not while I am still the warrior god.”
    Ni’yah nodded. “So, what will you do?”
    “Lachlei wants me to teach her how to kill a demon.”
    “She knows?” Ni’yah gazed at his brother. “Did you…?”
    The warrior god shook his head. “Lachlei sensed Areyn, herself. The slaughter woke her.”
    “I only thought godlings like Lochvaur and Laddel could